Thoughts from the interface of science, religion, law and culture

After spending several years touring the country as a stand up comedian, Ed Brayton tired of explaining his jokes to small groups of dazed illiterates and turned to writing as the most common outlet for the voices in his head. He has appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show and the Thom Hartmann Show, and is almost certain that he is the only person ever to make fun of Chuck Norris on C-SPAN.

Science blogs

EVENTS

How to Do and Not Do a Counter-Protest

A white supremacist group held an anti-immigration rally in Charlotte, North Carolina over the weekend and they were met by a delightful counter-protest by a bunch of people dressed in clown suits — a group much larger than the racist group, apparently.

Members of the National Socialist Movement joined the Ku Klux Klan for an anti-immigration rally at Old City Hall on West Trade Street, but the counter-protesters outnumbered them at least five to one.

Instead of shouting, the protesters used squeaky toys, whistles, and noisemakers to drown out the amplified speeches. Many dressed as clowns.

When the speakers talked about “White Power,” the protesters sprinkled white flour. Another held a sign reading “Wife Power.”

They said they wanted to make a point that racism is ridiculous.

“The message from us is, you look silly,” said Lacey Williams, the youth coordinator for Charlotte’s Latin American Coalition. “We’re dressed like clowns and you’re the ones that look funny.”

The only thing I don’t like about this is the attempt to drown out the protest with louder noise, though I assume that since the police didn’t do anything about it the noise must not have been very high. But I love the clown idea. It reminds me of the protest against the Fred Phelps cult by people at a comic book convention a while back. Pointing and laughing at them is more effective than anger, I think.

I have to imagine the National Socialists are the sort who aren’t socialists at all but the sort who are copying, for identity reasons, those who just took the name from the party they co-opted, like the NSDAP.

The only thing I don’t like about this is the attempt to drown out the protest with louder noise – Ed Brayton

Why? It’s not the government doing it – it’s decent people outraged at fucking Nazis: you know – people who want to murder millions of your fellow-citizens. You’re just fucking ridiculous sometimes, Brayton.

Why? It’s not the government doing it – it’s decent people outraged at fucking Nazis: you know – people who want to murder millions of your fellow-citizens. You’re just fucking ridiculous sometimes, Brayton.

Nick,

I would argue, and I think Ed would agree, that simply drowning out someone’s speech is counter-productive, even damaging to the message that the content of that speech is garbage. While replying to shouts of “white power” with “white powder” is one thing, simply drowning out their (admittedly garbage) speech then justifies anyone who wants to silence speech. We’re better off letting hateful slimeballs like these say their piece, mocking them (but not blocking them), and pointing out how stupid, hateful, and simple-minded they are. Stopping them from speaking, or drowning out their message grants their speech more value than it deserves.

A Hermit – that’s one for laying down and avoiding.
Zin? Sounds like a particularly heavy wine that should only be used in hand-to-hand combat.
(OK I’ll stop now)
Dingo
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PS: augustpamplona – it’s not rocket science! (Sorry, one of my M&W favorites)